Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the effects of a placebo treatment on cough in patients with cough associated with acute upper respiratory tract infection (URTI).
Methods: Patients with dry or slightly productive cough associated with a history of URTI were recruited. Cough frequency (CF) over 15 minutes was recorded by means of a microphone connected to a pen recorder. Cough suppression time (CST) was recorded when patients were instructed by means of a red light to try not to cough. Patients received either a single dose of vitamin E (placebo treatment) or no treatment. CF and CST were recorded before and 15 minutes after treatment.
Results: Twenty-seven patients were randomized to placebo treatment and 27 to the no-treatment group (mean age 22.6 years). The median difference between post- and pretreatment CF was -3 in the no-treatment group and -18 in the placebo group (p = .0003). There was a significant increase in CST in the placebo group compared with no treatment (p = .027).
Conclusions: The results demonstrate that placebo treatment has significant antitussive activity. This placebo effect may be related to generation of central neurotransmitters such as endogenous opioids.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.psy.0000155667.59662.92 | DOI Listing |
Expert Opin Investig Drugs
January 2025
School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia.
Introduction: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disease. Glucagon-Like-Peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonists decrease the incidence of developing PD, and are being considered for the treatment of PD.
Areas Covered: A phase 2 clinical trial of lixisenatide, a GLP-1 receptor agonist, in the early stages of PD.
Virol J
January 2025
Medi-X Pingshan, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, Guangdong, 518118, China.
Background: SHEN26 (ATV014) is an oral RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) inhibitor with potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity. Safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetic characteristics were verified in a Phase I study. This phase II study aimed to verify the efficacy and safety of SHEN26 in COVID-19 patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNat Commun
January 2025
Clinical Research Division, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Seattle, WA, USA.
Gut microbiota disruptions after allogeneic hematopoietic cell transplantation (alloHCT) are associated with increased risk of acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD). We designed a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial to test whether healthy-donor fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) early after alloHCT reduces the incidence of severe aGVHD. Here, we report the results from the single-arm run-in phase which identified the best of 3 stool donors for the randomized phase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBDJ Open
January 2025
Department of Orthodontics, Institute of Dentistry, Medical Faculty, Jagiellonian University, Kraków, Poland.
Background And Objectives: Gingivitis and periodontitis are common periodontal diseases that can significantly harm overall oral health, affecting the teeth and their supporting tissues, along with the surrounding anatomical structures, and if left untreated, leading to the total destruction of the alveolar bone and the connective tissues, tooth loss, and other more serious systemic health issues. Numerous studies have shown that propolis can help reduce gum inflammation, inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria, and promote tissue regeneration, but with varying degrees of success reported. For this reason, this comprehensive systematic review aims at finding out the truth concerning the efficacy of propolis mouthwashes in treating gingivitis and periodontitis, as its main objective.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBMJ Open
January 2025
College of Medicine and Dentistry, James Cook University, Queensland Research Centre for Peripheral Vascular Disease, Townsville, Queensland, Australia.
Introduction: Patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD) can experience intermittent claudication, which limits walking capacity and the ability to undertake daily activities. While exercise therapy is an established way to improve walking capacity in people with PAD, it is not feasible in all patients. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) provides a way to passively induce repeated muscle contractions and has been widely used as a therapy for chronic conditions that limit functional capacity.
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